Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a spray head assembly for a beverage making machine comprising a mounting for connection to a flow of liquid from a reservoir or other water source and a surface for joining to a spray head. A face portion of the spray head has an interior surface with relative rises and depressions or hills and valleys. Orifices are located generally at the peak of a hill with valleys being defined between neighboring hills.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system which includes a server, a sensing system coupled to the server for detecting a quantity of beverage retained in the server, a display coupled to the sensing system, and a count-up timer coupled to the system. The display may provide indicia as to the time and/or freshness of the beverage in the server. A method for sensing and displaying a quantity of beverage in a beverage server which can also include a freshness indicator. A resettable timer is incorporated which cannot be reset until at least the sensing system has been physically or operatively uncoupled from the server. The resetting may also require the sensing system to detect an empty server upon recoupling the sensing system with the server. Further, the resetting may also require monitoring a refill function for refill occurring within a predetermined rate parameter or time.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a spray head assembly for a beverage making machine comprising a mounting for connection to a flow of liquid from a reservoir or other water source and a surface for joining to a spray head. A face portion of the spray head has an interior surface with relative rises and depressions or hills and valleys. Orifices are located generally at the peak of a hill with valleys being defined between neighboring hills.

Abstract: A faucet assembly for use with a beverage retaining container. The faucet assembly includes a nozzle having a plurality of axially oriented ribs extending inwardly from an inside wall of the nozzle. Each rib of the plurality of ribs defining an axial projection having a generally triangular cross sectional shape. Neighboring ribs defining a corresponding void having a complementary generally triangular cross section. The nozzle having a relatively short axial dimension and the ribs providing desirable flow characteristics.

Abstract: A beverage brewer having a water flow control system for controlling the flow water through the system during a brewing cycle. The water flow control system is related to the spray head used in the brewer. The system can be calibrated based on the spray head used with the system and the calibration information can be used during the brewing process. An information device may be provided on the spray head to communication information to the brewer to control the brewing process. The brewer may be provided with a reader to read the information from the spray head. A system which can be used with a brewer, including all of the aforementioned information associated with the spray head for use in controlling the water flow during a brewing cycle. The system can be provided with the brewer or retrofitted with an existing brewer.

Abstract: Beverage making equipment, water heating equipment, and methods for using such equipment which use heated water and dispenses heated water from a heated water reservoir. The apparatus includes a water line extending from the heated water reservoir to a dispensing point, the line having a positive slope between the reservoir and dispensing point. A vent tube may also be used communicating with and coupled to the line with a return passage communicating with the vent and reservoir. The method of dispensing water from a heated water reservoir involves dispensing water from the reservoir at one level and delivering water to a dispensing point at a second level positioned at a positive dimension above the dispensing port of the heated water reservoir. the method may also include providing a vent tube coupled to and communicating with the line for removing gas which evolves from water passing through the line and returning the gas to the reservoir.

Abstract: A beverage apparatus including a soluble beverage system and a liquid flavor dispensing system. The liquid flavor dispensing system can add liquid flavor to water flowing through a heated water manifold for combination with beverage material dispensed from the soluble beverage system. The liquid flavor dispensing system and soluble beverage system are cooperatively positioned and controlled to combine liquid flavor, water, and soluble beverage material for controllably producing a variety of beverages.

Abstract: A beverage server and method of use for use as a stand alone server or in combination with at least one of a beverage maker and server power station. Contacts are provided on the server conductive coupling to the beverage maker or the station. The server is configured to preheat a reservoir in the server at least during one of prior to or during dispensing of beverage into the dispenser. The brewer is configured to automatically initiate a brewing cycle in response to pre-determined conditions, such as upon beverage in the server decreasing below a pre-determined level. The brewer is configured to detect whether the server is in position relative to the brewer and is configured to dispense beverage only if the server is detected. The server is configured to prevent dispensing of beverage if a pre-determined time period has expired, in order to avoid dispensing beverage with an expired pre-determined freshness period.

Abstract: A server (20) for retaining and dispensing a heated beverage. The server includes an insulated server body (23) for reducing heat transfer of heat from the liquid beverage retained therein. A sump (60) is provided in the server body at a lower portion thereof for draining beverage from the server. The sump has a minimal cross sectional area to further reduce heat transfer from a volume of liquid beverage retained in the server to the sump. A faucet (42) is attached to the server and communicates with the sump through a port (76). An interface hub (52) is positioned between the faucet and the server for reducing heat transfer from the liquid beverage to the faucet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blocking device for use with a beverage making machine of the type having a housing (22) and a funnel (30) positionable relative to the housing. The blocking device (40, 40a, 40b) prevents unintended disengagement of a funnel from a corresponding housing to which at least a portion of the blocking device is attached. The blocking device includes a first engager (16) and a second engager (18). The first and second engagers are engageable when positioning a funnel on a housing. The first and second engagers are selectively disengageable when removing a funnel from a housing. The blocking device as disclosed also includes a method of retaining a funnel on a housing and a kit for attaching a blocking device to a beverage making machine which does not include a blocking device.

Abstract: A beverage server assembly and a base for elevating a beverage container. The beverage server assembly includes the base including extensions and a connecting portion defining a nesting area therein. The nesting area defines an opening. A drip tray assembly can be removably retained in the nesting area. The drip tray assembly includes a drip tray with a removable grate. The nesting area is sized in dimension for use with the drip tray assembly or with the grate without the drip tray. The server assembly can be positioned with the faucet extending over a drain to allow liquid to flow from the faucet to the grate, through the opening and to the drain without collection in the drip tray.

Abstract: A faucet assembly for use with a beverage retaining container. The faucet assembly includes a nozzle having a plurality of axially oriented ribs extending inwardly from an inside wall of the nozzle. Each rib of the plurality of ribs defining an axial projection having a generally triangular cross sectional shape. Neighboring ribs defining a corresponding void having a complementary generally triangular cross section. The nozzle having a relatively short axial dimension and the ribs providing desirable flow characteristics.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system which includes a server, a sensing system coupled to the server for detecting a quantity of beverage retained in the server, a display coupled to the sensing system, and a count-up timer coupled to the system. The display may provide indicia as to the time and/or freshness of the beverage in the server. A method for sensing and displaying a quantity of beverage in a beverage server which can also include a freshness indicator. A resettable timer is incorporated which cannot be reset until at least the sensing system has been physically or operatively uncoupled from the server. The resetting may also require the sensing system to detect an empty server upon recoupling the sensing system with the server. Further, the resetting may also require monitoring a refill function for refill occurring within a predetermined rate parameter or time.

Abstract: A gas eliminating control valve assembly, system and method is disclosed. The valve system includes a valve casing coupled to a solenoid actuator assembly. The valve casing includes an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a fluid chamber communicating at least with one inlet conduit and one outlet conduit. The outlet conduit communicates with the fluid chamber at a position at least adjacent a portion of the fluid chamber to conduct gases, bubbles or separated gas out of the fluid chamber during operation of the valve open fluid flow, such that gas entrapment and bubble formation within the fluid chamber is reduced, avoided or eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus for making and dispensing a plurality of beverages, the dispensing apparatus comprising; a plurality of beverage dispensing modules (32), each beverage module having a container (68) and a brewing assembly (30) for making a respective beverage and delivering the respective beverage to the container, and a housing (34) associated with the plurality of beverage dispensing modules and defining a chamber containing a liquid for supply to the beverage making assemblies to make respective beverages.

Abstract: A beverage apparatus including a soluble beverage system and a liquid flavor dispensing system. The liquid flavor dispensing system can add liquid flavor to water flowing through a heated water manifold for combination with beverage material dispensed from the soluble beverage system. The liquid flavor dispensing system and soluble beverage system are cooperatively positioned and controlled to combine liquid flavor, water, and soluble beverage material for controllably producing a variety of beverages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, apparatus and kit for dispensing hot water. The apparatus includes a body which may be positioned or etched to a portion of a housing of a brewer or other beverage making system. The body may be mounted in various orientations relative to the brewer. A moveably mounted faucet is provided on the body to accommodate one of several orientations.

Abstract: A server (20) for retaining and dispensing a heated beverage. The server includes an insulated server body (23) for reducing heat transfer of heat from the liquid beverage retained therein. A sump (60) is provided in the server body at a lower portion thereof for draining beverage from the server. The sump has a minimal cross sectional area to further reduce heat transfer from a volume of liquid beverage retained in the server to the sump. A faucet (42) is attached to the server and communicates with the sump through a port (76). An interface hub (52) is positioned between the faucet and the server for reducing heat transfer from the liquid beverage t the facucet.

Abstract: A beverage system including a communication means (300) for communicating between a beverage dispensing module (32) and a base station (304). Each beverage-dispersing module (32) includes a controller (76), which is centralized for use with multiple modules (32) or dedicated to an individual module (32). The controller (76) collects information about the module (32) or modules. The controller (76) includes link (302), which connect the controller (76) to the base station (304). The base station (304) includes a means for displaying display (305) and can provide visual auditor or other information about numerous conditions.

Abstract: A beverage apparatus (30) having a plurality of dispensing modules (32) and a housing (34) that defines a chamber (36) containing water or liquid suitable for use in brewing.